PETITIONS have been launched in south-west Northumberland in a bid to block the possible closure of a middle school.
Opponents of the suggested closure of 137-pupil Allendale Middle School by September 2013 have begun a major initiative to keep it running.
Northumberland County Council is ready to start a 12-week consultation period which could effectively reintroduce a two-tier education system into the 18-school Haydon Bridge Partnership.
An initial public meeting in Allendale last Tuesday will be followed by another in St Cuthbert’s Church Hall tomorrow, after the county council Executive meets today to decide whether to go ahead with the consultation process.
Catton parent Susan Robson, a former teaching assistant at the school, says the level of support for the anti-closure lobby has been “unreal”.
Mrs Robson said: “There have been emails, texts and phone calls non-stop since the news came out at the beginning of the week.
“I have been getting stopped in the street by people, including someone whose children went through the school and are today in their 40s.
“People are still very confused as to what is the best way forward. They have been ringing up asking for certain information to be presented.
“Academies have been mentioned, but academies are not without their disadvantages. And Tuesday at our second meeting there will possibly be speakers for and against.
“I don’t know the best way forward so it will be like a forum, but we are working things out very quickly.”
